(This story has been updated with new information, photos and video.)
PORT HURON, MI — Hundreds lined Pine Grove Avenue before the start of a No Kings protest on March 28, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations opposing the Trump administration.
By the time the event officially began at 1 p.m. at Pine Grove Park, large groups were already gathered along the roadway, holding signs and waving to passing traffic. Horns, bells and cheers echoed through the area as drivers honked in support.
Organizers said about 1,500 people had RSVP’d for the Port Huron event, hosted by Blue Water Indivisible.
The protest was one of more than 3,000 events planned across the country as part of the broader No Kings movement, with millions expected to participate nationwide.
Margo Romero, who co-founded Blue Water Indivisible in 2025, said the rally marked the third such event locally.
“We’re here today in conjunction with national movements, including Indivisible, the 50501 movement and the Women’s March, to reclaim our democracy,” she said.
Romero said the group aims to bring people together across political lines.
“We’re not here to create animosity, we’re here to bring people together,” she said. “This is not about right or left or red or blue, this is about right and wrong.”
Romero also pointed to the number of American flags carried by participants.
“You’ll see a lot of American flags here because the MAGA movement tried to make the flag their own, and this is our flag — it is for all people,” she said.
Only two counter-protesters were observed walking along the roadway carrying a pro-Trump flag. No visible police presence was observed at the event.
A march through downtown Port Huron was planned to begin at 2 p.m., with participants lining up near the south end of the park at Kearny Street and Pine Grove Avenue.
Craig Garlach said he attended because he believes government accountability is lacking.
“We need a government that’s going to be accountable,” he said. “We need congressmen that will step up and do their job with checks and balances.”
Garlach said he had contacted Congresswoman Lisa McClain’s office but did not receive a response, adding that leaders should follow established processes.
“He went to war without permission. He needs to follow protocol,” he said.
A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain contacted the Times Herald on March 31 and said, “Mr. Garlach has not contacted us this year. When he contacted us last year, our office responded to him.”
Suzanne O’Brien gestured toward the crowd gathered along the street as she described what the demonstration represented.
“This is what makes America great,” she said. “Democracy.”
Saturday’s protest follows two previous No Kings demonstrations in Port Huron that drew large crowds. An estimated 1,000 people attended the first event in June 2025, while a second rally in October drew nearly 1,300 participants and included a march through the city.
Earlier in the day, a smaller group gathered in Lexington, where 16 people and a dog stood along Huron Avenue in 28-degree temperatures for a local demonstration before traveling to Port Huron for the larger event.
Event organizers estimated just under 3,500 people attended the rally. After the protest, co-founder Annie Austin told the Times Herald it was the group’s largest turnout yet and included the most young people they have seen.
“It was probably our best turnout yet, and it was peaceful from start to finish,” she said.
Austin said there were only a couple of agitators, but participants continued moving without incident.
“We just told people to keep walking,” she said, adding that there was “a lot of joy” throughout the event.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: No Kings protest draws thousands to Port Huron amid nationwide rallies
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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